U.S. House to try again to advance Keystone pipeline

Source: Reuters

By Roberta Rampton and David Lawder

WASHINGTON | Fri Apr 13, 2012 7:00pm EDT

(Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker John Boehner will make a new attempt to force approval of the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline as part of legislation for another 90-day extension of federal road, bridge and transit construction funding, Republican aides said on Friday.

By seeking a second short-term funding extension, the plan aims to put the Canada-to-Texas pipeline and expanded drilling rights back at the top of the House agenda without the struggles that the House has endured in trying to pass a longer-term, more expensive transport bill.

A House vote could come as early as next week.

Boehner has made the Keystone pipeline, designed to carry crude from the northern Alberta oil sands, and the transportation funding bill centerpieces of his jobs agenda.

1. So they are focusing on giving away more to the rich

and not focusing on the jobs bill? Good for you, Boehner - you'll be kicked out this fall for failure to deliver jobs and all Republicans will be banned from ever getting a majority while their numbers dwindle to the minimum numbers.

2. No oil for us, very few or no jobs, almost certain leaks, and "game over" for the climate

The only way they can keep pushing this pipeline is by lying to the American people or by keeping most of us in the dark.

No oil for us. Keystone XL will not lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil, but transport Canadian oil to American refineries for export to overseas markets. Source: Tar Sands Action.

Very few or no jobs. Cornell GLI Study Finds Keystone XL Pipeline Will Create Few Jobs. Previous Studies Are Misleading; Project May Kill More Jobs Than It Creates. Source: Cornell University Global Labor Institute

Almost certain leaks. TransCanada predicted that the Keystone I pipeline would see one spill in 7 years. In fact, there have been 12 spills in 1 year. Source: Tar Sands Action.

"Game over" for the climate. NASA scientist James Hansen says if the oil sands were exploited as projected, the carbon emissions produced would mean it was "game over for the climate." Source: The Guardian